Bennett Spring, the fourth largest in Missouri, has a daily output of over 100 million gallons, rising out of a narrow cave. Native Americans were the first to enjoy its beauty and benefits, and referred to it as “eye of the sacred one.”

Bennett Spring was one of Missouri’s first state parks. Today it is still one of the most beautiful and most popular in the state’s system. Many things draw people here, but the reason that tops the list can be summed up in one word: fishing!

Opening Day
For trout fishermen at Bennett Spring State Park, March 1st is their New Year’s Eve. The fishermen are in the water, rods at the ready. When the siren sounds to signal the start of the season, wrists flick, lines fly and, for some lucky anglers, fish are caught.

A foot of snow on the ground? It doesn’t matter to these diehard fishermen. This day is sacred.

How the Trout Got Here!
A privately-owned fish hatchery stocked trout in 1923. The Missouri Conservation Commission introduced 40,000 rainbow trout into Bennett Spring in 1926. Today over 320,000 pounds of rainbow and brown trout are released here every year.

The regular trout season runs from March 1-October 31. From early November to early February, it’s “catch-and-release” season on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

The Spring
Yes, there is a spring here. The fourth largest in Missouri, Bennett Spring has a daily output of over 100 million gallons. Native Americans were the first to enjoy its beauty and benefits.

By the mid-1800s, the water was powering grist mills. The most successful of these was owned by Peter Bennett, son-in-law of the area’s first permanent settler. Farmers bringing their grain to be ground here would often camp out by the spring and take some time to hunt and fish. Some things never change.

Other Activities
In addition to fishing, park visitors can enjoy 12 miles of hiking trails, with an abundance of wildlife and wildflowers to be found along the paths. Area outfitters can provide float trips on the Niangua River. The Nature Interpretive Center is a great place to get an overview of the park’s wildlife, as well as to learn the history of the spring.

Amenities
Many of the facilities that make Bennett Spring State Park unique were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The roads, trails, cabins, the classic arched bridge over the spring branch, and the dining lodge all date to this time. Today the park also offers modern motel rooms and camping.

Of course, its beauty is the best amenity at Bennett Spring State Park. Even a fisherman has to pause once in a while to just enjoy what’s around him – but then the trout bites and the battle begins anew.